# NTSB BFO85FA070: Cessna 120, N1812V, Afton, VA, August 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1985, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Afton, VA
- Coordinates: 38.060657, -78.899589 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0607&lon=-78.8996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11141/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA070

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT AND HIS WIFE DEPARTED WAYNESBORO ARPT IN REPORTED VFR WX CONDITIONS AT APRX 1700 HRS. ACCORDING TO THE ASSISTANTARPT MGR THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 2500 FT HOWEVER, THE MOUNTAIN TOPS WERE OBSCURED IN THE DIRECTION THE ACFT FLEW TOWARDS. AT ABOUT 1710 HRS THE PLT RADIOED BACK ON UMICOM THAT HE HADCROSSED THE MOUNTAIN AND WAS GOING HOME. ABOUT 45 SECONDS LATER, HE WAS HEARD TO SAY THAT HE 'HAD HIT SCUDD'. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND AT 2100 FT. AN ANALYSIS OF THE WX DONE BY AN NTSB METEOROLOGIST INDICATED THAT CLOUD BASES AT THE TIME AND IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT WERE NEAR 2000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1812V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1812V-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 13997, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13997
- Airframe hours: 5662
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert A. Gosnell
- Registered owner: Robert C. Gosnell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1984, 88 hours before
- Departed: W13, WAYNESBORO, VA
- Destination: W98, CHESTERFIELD, VA
- Airport: W13, Waynesboro, runway 23, 2,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,003 total, 3,897 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850824076709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850824076709A), Aug 24, 1985: Cessna 120, Waynesboro, VA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into trees on the side of a fog obscured mountain.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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